Rain doesn't sour lemonade day in Hudson

by Laura Freeman | ReporterPublished: May 11, 2014 12:00AM

Hudson -- The first weekend in May had a touch of April showers but Seton Catholic School students sold lemonade through rain and shine.

Students from Seton Catholic, Hudson Montessori and East Woods Elementary schools participate in Lemonade Day Month. They learn to open, own and operate their own business by obtaining a loan and starting a lemonade stand. A share of the profits pays back the loan and goes to a charity the team chooses. The remaining profits are divided among the team members.

Seton Catholic School fifth-grade students operated lemonade stands May 3 and May 4.

Team "Sweet N Sour Lemon Power" included Colleen McNamara, Sean Stepanek and Adam Oscarson, all 11 years old. They set up in front of the Hudson Library & Historical Society and were protected from the raindrops. The group created a song for the event and tie dye T-shirts. The team will donate 25 percent of their profits to Berea Children's Home and Family Services.

Another group braving the elements was "Lightning Lemons" and included Michael Mylott, Emily Ritenour, Tyler Gerk and Jimmy Brenna, all 11 years old. They were set up in front of BOGO Pizza and sold pizza in addition to the lemonade.

Like many other groups, they added chips and snacks to their list of items for sale to increase profits. They plan to donate 25 percent of their profits to the American Red Cross Association.

Hudson Montessori School students will sell lemonade May 17 and May 18, and East Woods Elementary students will operate lemonade businesses May 17, 18, 24, 25 and 26.

Lemonade Day NEO is based on a national youth entrepreneurship initiative that supplies students with learning materials and support to create and run a lemonade stand. A workbook guides students in planning, budgeting, seeking loans, marketing and giving back to the community. In Northeast Ohio, the program is in its fourth year and under the leadership of University School and its Entrepreneur Institute with support from the Burton D. Morgan Foundation, Heinen's and many other supporters. Participation across Northeast Ohio is expected to top 3,000 students during spring 2014.

"We are grateful for the dedicated staff at Entrepreneur Institute for coordinating this powerful learning opportunity for students," said Deborah Hoover, CEO of the Burton D. Morgan Foundation. "We also thank all the teachers, parents, and community members for embracing the program and making it possible for young people to set up stands and sell lemonade. The program truly highlights the value of youth entrepreneurship education and the potential of engaging the whole community in the learning process."